For The Children

He was little more than a baby, And played in the street all dav. And he held in his tlny fingers The stringof a broken sleigb. Ho was ragged, and cold, and liungrv. Yet his tace was a sight to see, As he lisped to a passing lady - 'Tlethê mithus, will you yide mei" But ehe drew close her fur-lined mantle, And her train of silk and lace, While she stared, with haughty wonder. In the eager, piteous face. And the eyes that ehone so brightly, Brimmed o'er with gushing rain, And the poor little head dropped lower, While his heart beat a sad refrain. When night cauie, cold and darkly. And the lauips were all aliglit. The pallid lips grew whiter With t'lnldieh grief and f right . As I was passing the entrance, Of a church across the way í found a poor dead baby With his head on a broken sleigh. Soon young, cagcr footsteps Were heard on the frozen street, And a boy dashed into the station, Covereü with snow and sleet. On his coat ivas a news boy's numbcr, On his arm a "bran new sled." "Have you soen my brother, Bijall '. He ought to be home in bed." 'You see I leave him at Smithers' While I go 'round with the press ; They must have forgot about him, And he's 6trayed away, I guess. "Last uight when he said 'Our Father.' And about the daily bread. He just threw in an extra, Concernin' a nice new filed. "I was tellin' the boys at the office, And how he was only three, So they stuek in for this here stunner And sent it home with me ! ;'And won't- What's the matter Bijah, Why do you shake your head? Oh, Father in Heaven have pity ! Oh, Bijah, he ean't be dead I" He clasped the child to his bosom In a passionate, close embrace, His tears and kissing falling, 'Twixt sobs, on the little face. Soon the boy ish grief grew silent ; There was never a tear nor a mouu For the Heart of the dear Lord Jesus Had taken the children home.